THE body of a man has been found by a River Wye rescue team, after a Forest pensioner was reported missing nearly four weeks previously.

Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA) revealed on Monday (March 30) that they had found a body the previous afternoon during searches of the Redbrook and Bigsweir areas.

Search managers had been working with Gloucestershire Police to try and locate Graham Collett, 77, who was last seen in Milkwall near Coleford around 8.30am on Tuesday, March 3.

They conducted searches over the weekend, covering both water and woodland, involving search teams from SARA stations at Beachley, Tewkesbury, the Cotswolds, Sharpness and Upton, supplemented by colleagues from Gloucestershire Cave Rescue Group.

Sunday was the 10th day of searches, and a post from SARA Beachley later revealed: “During the afternoon, a boat team found a body during a search of the River Wye.

“This has been a protracted search, and we are grateful to all of the volunteers who have contributed to the operation and to their families. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man concerned.”

Police had described Mr Collett as a keen walker, who was known to walk long distances.

Gloucestershire Police posted: “A body has been found during searches for a man who had been reported missing from the Forest of Dean earlier this month.

“Searches had been taking place to find 77-year-old Graham, and SARA located a body yesterday afternoon, Sunday 29 March.

“Formal identification has not yet taken place, however Graham’s family have been informed.

“His death is not being treated as suspicious at this time and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

“Officers have thanked all of those who were involved in searches, including colleagues from SARA, as well as everyone who shared the appeal to try and locate Graham or called in with information/potential sightings.

“Our thoughts remain with Graham’s family at this time.”